Reflections on Akshobhya
by Tamojyoti
It is fitting that Akshobhya should be the focus of our Sangha in 2025. Akshobya, blue in color, is one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas whose wisdom is associated with the transmutation of ignorance (avidya) into mirror-like wisdom (prājñā). This wisdom is often described as being perfectly impartial, seeing all things as they are — free from attachment or aversion.
As I notice my responses to my own government’s needless cruel attacks on immigrants, people of color, transgender people, women, and the poor, I find myself needing to dig deeper into my practice. Akshobhya calls us to engage with the suffering in the world — to be present with the injustices faced by vulnerable populations and to respond with mindful compassion. His mirror-like wisdom allows him to see the true nature of suffering, and his compassion flows naturally as a response to the realization that all beings are interconnected in this impermanent world. I understand this teaching intellectually, but on an emotional/energetic level, I am not always impartial or free from anger, fear, helplessness and despair. My activated nervous system can’t rapidly metabolize these events and the emotions that follow.
So, I look to Akshobhya for guidance. What I see is his posture. He sits in full lotus position, atop 4 massive elephants, his right hand touching the earth symbolizing stability and grounding amidst turmoil. I am especially drawn to the earth touching mudra, as it reminds me of the unwavering support of the natural world which is always available — and which encourages me to stay rooted in the present moment. For me, this means putting down all electronics, getting out into nature, and regularly checking in with my body. Akshobhya’s left hand, upright on his lap in the gesture of meditation, tells me that when all else fails — just meditate.
In meditation, I find that challenging energies almost immediately become less solid and more manageable. I can see them for what they are — insubstantial and impermanent. Seeing them this way, I do not allow them to overwhelm me, and I am more able to transmute them into more creative, expansive, and joyful perspectives.
My practice in 2025 must be as steadfast as Akshobhya, immovable in the face of adversity. I hope to remain rooted in the present moment and be able to respond to the world’s suffering with a heart that is both open and unshaken. In this way, Akshobhya’s wisdom becomes not only a refuge my personal practice, but a guiding force for healing and transformation in the world around me.